Trending Now - Twenty-five Arrested in Wisconsin Protests at Beagle Breeding Site

WHO:

AP News - Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, was arrested on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary.

AP News - Activist Julie Vrzeski expressed feelings of defeat after the protest, stating, “I just feel defeated.”

ABC News - Approximately 1,000 animal welfare activists participated in the protest.

AP News - Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, is the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs.

AP News - Sheriff Kalvin Barrett is the Dane County Sheriff.

WHAT:

AP News - The Dane County Sheriff's Office reported that 29 people were arrested during the protest on April 18th, 2026.

ABC News - Sheriff Kalvin Barrett stated that between 300 and 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property” during the protest on April 18th, 2026.

AP News - Most of the arrestees were just booked and released, according to the sheriff’s office.

AP News - Wayne Hsiung stated from jail, “No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog, even if damage to property is part of that rescue effort.”

ABC News - The Dane County Sheriff's Department reported that 29 people were arrested during the protest on April 18th, 2026.

AP News - Sheriff Kalvin Barrett stated that between 300 and 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property” during the protest on April 18th, 2026.

AP News - Wayne Hsiung, leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, stated from jail, “The animals of this Earth are not ‘things.’ They’re sentient beings. And we have the right to rescue them from abuse.”

AP News - The Dane County Sheriff’s Office reported that the situation was “significantly calmer and more peaceful” on Sunday, April 19th, 2026, when around 200 people assembled outside the farm.

AP News - A person was arrested for “recklessly” driving a pickup truck through the front gate of the property.

ABC News - Around 25 protesters were arrested during the clashes.

AP News - Officers used pepper spray and rubber bullets against protesters.

AP News - Protesters attempted to take beagles from Ridglan Farms.

AP News - In March 2026, protesters took 30 dogs from the facility and 27 people were arrested.

AP News - Most of the arrestees were booked and released.

WHERE:

ABC News - The protest occurred at Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, approximately 25 miles southwest of Madison.

AP News - The facility houses an estimated 2,000 beagles.

WHEN:

AP News - The second protest occurred on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, and the calmer assembly took place on Sunday, April 19th, 2026.

AP News - The protest took place on Saturday, April 18th, 2026.

AP News - The second protest occurred in March 2026.

WHY:

AP News - Activists demanded that Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul take action to shut down Ridglan Farms.

ABC News - Activists demanded that Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul take action to shut down Ridglan Farms.

AP News - Sheriff Kalvin Barrett stated that protesters had ignored designated areas for peaceful protest and blocked roads to prevent emergency vehicles from entering, declaring, “This is not a peaceful protest.”

AP News - Protesters aimed to rescue beagles from what they claim is abuse at Ridglan Farms.

AP News - Hsiung stated, “No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog, even if damage to property is part of that rescue effort.”

HOW:

AP News - Protesters attempted to breach barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales, and a barbed-wire fence, with some getting through the fence but unable to enter the facility.

ABC News - Protesters moved from Ridglan Farms to protest outside of the jail in downtown Madison after the clashes on April 18th, 2026.

AP News - Protesters attempted to breach barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales, and a barbed-wire fence, with some getting through the fence but unable to enter the facility.

AP News - Protesters attempted to breach barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales, and a barbed-wire fence.

(UPDATED April 21, 2026 04:03 UTC)

on Saturday, the Dane County Sheriff's Office reported that 29 people were arrested during a protest where between 300 and 400 demonstrators were violently trying to break into a property. Sheriff Kalvin Barrett noted that most of those arrested were booked and released, while activist Wayne Hsiung, speaking from jail, emphasized that no one should face assault for aiding a dog, even if it involves property damage. Protesters attempted to breach barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales, and a barbed-wire fence, with some managing to get through but ultimately unable to enter the facility.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 21:12 UTC)

on Saturday, the Dane County Sheriff's Department reported that 29 people were arrested during a protest where between 300 and 400 demonstrators were violently attempting to break into Ridglan Farms. Activists, led by Wayne Hsiung of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, called on Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul to take action against the farm, asserting that animals are sentient beings deserving rescue from abuse. Following the clashes, protesters moved to demonstrate outside the jail in downtown Madison.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 11:20 UTC)

Wayne Hsiung, a 44-year-old from New York, was arrested on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary following protests that escalated over the weekend. On Saturday, on Saturday, around 200 people gathered outside a farm, leading to a calmer situation reported by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office the next day, although some protesters attempted to breach barricades and blocked roads. Sheriff Kalvin Barrett criticized the actions of the protesters, stating they ignored designated areas for peaceful protest and created hazards for emergency vehicles.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 09:32 UTC)

on Saturday, approximately 1,000 animal welfare activists gathered at Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, to protest against what they claim is abuse of beagles at the facility, which houses around 2,000 dogs. During the protest, clashes erupted, leading to around 25 arrests as officers used pepper spray and rubber bullets to control the situation, while protesters attempted to breach barricades and rescue the animals. Wayne Hsiung, the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, emphasized that no one should face assault for trying to help a dog, even if property damage occurs in the process.